Politics & Government

Voters to Decide on $6.4 Million Bond to Repair Schools

Voters will decide on a $6.4 million bond to repair schools, including the replacement of Davisville Middle School's roof.

The smell of mold had permeated the air for months on the third floor at by the time officials opened up the ceilings tiles for testing. They did find the mold…and a dead bird. For seventh grade teacher Carolyn Coppolino, it all made sense.

“I had just assumed the pitter patter I heard in the ceiling was just the wind,” said Coppolino.

A year after the deceased bird was discovered, DMS’ avian problem is still aflutter. According to teachers on the third floor, they caught two more just a few weeks ago. Teachers believe the birds have gotten into the ceilings through a hole in the roof’s membrane.

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Along with the birds, school employees have battled to patch leaks in the roof, replace ceiling tiles damaged by the leaks, and replace and repair equipment damaged by said falling ceiling tiles. After a heavy rain, computers in the schools’ computer lab suffered water damage.

“I have to count to see if I have enough computers for my students sometimes,” said eighth grade teacher Kevin Dubois.

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A recent survey of the 25-year-old roof found it was in danger of prompting school officials to push for a bond referendum to remedy the problem. According to Jim Grundy – a member of the facilities subcommittee – the school department has spent anywhere between $25,000 and $60,000 each year on patch jobs to the roof.

“As one member on the committee said, it’s like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound,” said Grundy of the temporary repairs.

The replacement of the roof at Davisville Middle School is just one item on a laundry list of repairs and upgrades as part of a $6.4-million bond. Along with the roof replacement, other items on the bond include upgrades to make the buildings compliant with ADA accessibility guidelines. ()

According to Superintendent Phil Auger, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is promising up to a 35 percent reimbursement for the work and upgrades. Typically, school maintenance and repairs are supported by the school department’s capital reserve fund, which has been neglected as the town and school departments battle with dwindling state aid and the current fiscal climate.

“It’s time to do this,” said Auger, who visited schools in the district to rally support for the bond in the past few weeks. “We’re not going to have too many opportunities, maybe none, with a reimbursement like this.”

For others in the community, the timing of this bond could not be any worse, citing the current burden at taxpayers.

“We’re tired of being overtaxed and we want to see the people that we elected be responsible,” said Jim McGuire, head of the North Kingstown GOP Committee.

Opponents of the bond also point out that taxpayers are currently paying off other bonds– including one to build a $33 million ­ – and another bond could hurt the town’s credit rating.

“We’re through. We’ve had it. No more bonds,” said McGuire, who said that most members of the GOP committee oppose the bond.

Another opponent of the bond ­– Jim McGwin, head of the North Kingstown Taxpayers Organization – believes that the roof at DMS could have been replaced years ago, using roughly $2 million left over from a 2004 school repairs bond – enough to nearly cover the roof replacement at DMS.

Recently, McGwin has been circulating photos via email of conditions at , which is also experiencing roof leaks.

According to Auger, the situation at Quidnessett “doesn’t rise to the threshold” of Davisville Middle School. The 10-year-old roof also has another five years left on its warranty, according to Grundy.

“My concern is that we have an elementary school with a roof that has leaks,” said McGwin. “We need to fix all our roofs and we need to make sure we have a safe environment for our kids. I don’t think anybody would disagree with that.”

The health aspect of the failing roof at Davisville Middle School is concerned faculty and staff. Dehumidifiers are found in nearly every room with air purifiers found in select areas of the school. Employees have complained of a bevy of health concerns, including migraines, nausea and dizziness.

“I’m stuffed up all the time and have allergies I’ve never had before,” said Angela Boisclair, a teacher at the school.

“The health issue is more important to us than the financial side with damage to computers and equipment,” said Principal Ruthanne Logan.

Logan hopes that work on the roof can begin as soon as school is let out for summer vacation as to not interfere with the start of classes in the fall.  Auger has already petitioned the North Kingstown Town Council to . The council was reluctant to give a solid commitment, instead directing its legislative committee to enable legislation from the 2004 bond to be used toward the repairs.

“Parents need to know that when their kids come here, they’re safe,” said Logan. “I want to say that with 100 percent accuracy but right now I cant.”


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